No Plan A

Almost as a single voice, the media outlets associated with ČSSD a.s. have begun questioning whether Miloš Zeman will actually run for president. He announced his candidacy in March, but some commentators and analysts are promoting the view that his failing health or falling approval ratings could force him to withdraw. Assume for a moment that they are right. It would mean that the interest groups behind Zeman suddenly needed a Plan B. They would have to find a new presidential candidate. This would suit Bohuslav Sobotka just fine, because he has a vision of a land without Zeman or Andrej Babiš. Yet Sobotka doesn't even have a Plan A. First he spoke about looking around for a left-liberal candidate, and now he openly yearns for a post-Zeman existence, but without naming his savior. This puts the CR in a strange position. Eight months before the presidential elections, it's possible that neither second-round candidate is currently known to Czech voters.